5 reasons why Real Madrid Is Likely To Become the First to Break the Champions League Curse

A team of Real Madrids calibre as defending champions, it would be rash to simply write

-off their chances of going all the way twice.

#Bright Hoistory

While Real famously won the old European Cup five times on the bounce in the 1950s, and the likes of Benfica, both Milan clubs, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Liverpool went on to retain it at least once over the years that followed, still no team has managed to win back-to-back

trophies since the competition was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992 – 25 years ago.

The last European champions to successfully defend their title was AC Milan in 1990 after also claiming victory in 1989. The Real Madrid class of 2017 will be desperate to make history this season and break what is now increasingly known as the ‘Champions League Curse.’

A handful of clubs have come close over the years. After inaugural Champions League winners Marseille were banned from the competition in 1993/94, AC Milan, winners in 1994, Ajax, winners in 1995, and Juventus, winners in 1996, all made it as far as the final when holders the following season.

All three failed to get over the line, though. Discounting Marseille, Borussia Dortmund were the first Champions League winners not to reach the final as holders, while Manchester United in 1999/00 were the first not to make it to at least the semi-finals.

Having lost manager Jose Mourinho and several key players, 2004 winners Porto’s failure to defend their Champions League crown kick-started a spell of poor defences. The Portuguese side were knocked out in the Last 16 by Inter in the 2004/05 campaign, while subsequent holders Liverpool, Barcelona and AC Milan all fell at the same stage in the three seasons that followed.

#4 The Zinedine Zidane factor

Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager finally managed to bring the team together under one banner, with everyone seemingly playing for the greater glory of the club than for individual appraisals or personal honors; under Don Carlo’s reign, Los Blancos finally managed to win the 2014 edition of the Champions League, with Ronaldo arguably in the form of his life.

However, his hands-off approach finally began to show some cracks on the seams, and after a trophy-less 2015, he was let go, with Rafa Benitez hired to guide the team in future endeavours.

While Rafa was hardly the problem, the team seemed to digress further, with the Spaniard only given half a season in charge before the role of manager was handed to club legend, Zinedine Zidane. While the move was initially criticised as Zidane was percieved to lack the experience, the move was arguably one of the best the club has done in the past few years. Under the Frenchman, Real Madrid seem to have a genuine game plan and an identity that seemed to be lacking for so long at the club.

Everyone plays for each other, and the team spirit is at an all-time high. They are currently cruising at the top of La Liga and Zidane’s flexible tactics have seen the team adapt to most opponents with relative ease, Their never say die attitude has seen the club rescue seemingly lost matches, with the 2016 Champions League final the epitome of the ethos Zidane has strived to implement at the club.

His view towards the transfer market and promotion of youth from the underutilised academy has meant that the Madrid club is primed for the future, with things finally looking settled for once; without constant speculation on whether the manager will be sacked.

Their incredible unbeaten run earlier in the season coupled with some exemplary home form at the Bernabeu under Zidane will mean that Real Madrid should definitely be one of the favourites to reach the finals and retain their title.

#3 Great squad depth

It takes only one look at Real Madrid’s squad for the Champions League to realise the immense stockpile of talent that the club has within their ranks. Every position can be accounted for with some very talented players who could easily hold their own against any team in the world.

The squad at Zidane’s disposal has meant that the Frenchman can arguably set out two entirely different playing elevens in varying competitions without compromising their chances and still manage to steamroll their opponents.

The likes of Kiko Casilla, Alvaro Morata, Fabio Coentrao and James Rodriguez who usually warm the bench for Los Blancos could each walk into the playing 11 of many of the teams in the competition, meaning that even an injury crisis would arguably do little to derail their chances of winning the competition once again.

#2 A less vigorous domestic schedule

We’re not insinuating that the La Liga is an easy league; not by any means. With the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal and quite a few more very talented sides within the Spanish top-flight, most league games are intense, with a high quality of football required to emerge victorious from each round of fixtures.

However, since Real Madrid have been eliminated from the Copa del Ray, they only have to truly compete on two fronts, and can approach their training and planning sessions in a much more streamlined manner. Their round of 16 opponents, Napoli have to plan ahead for their Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus, and many other teams in the knockout rounds need to focus on multiple fronts as the season builds up to its business end.

While two of the last four winners of the Champions League in Bayern Munich and Barcelona went on to win the treble, it is an event of rarity, with only seven different clubs having ever achieved the remarkable feat

With Real Madrid already being able to concentrate the entire riches of the squad in retaining their crown, a less vigorous domestic schedule will definitely aid them in their task. #1 Winning experience

Every season sees new players brought in to complement the existing squad and certain players who are deemed surplus sold. Madrid, however, were surprisingly quiet during the summer transfer window, with Zidane only bringing in Alvaro Morata from Juventus to serve as a backup to his current striking options; the Frenchman has put faith in Los Blancos’ thriving academy to promote from within.

This means that Real Madrid have been contesting with almost the exact same squad as the one that won the competition last season, with the sense of camaraderie and team-spirit that Zidane has created within the squad still running strong. He has implemented a system that has seen everyone thrive and play for each other, with the accusations of selfishness that were being thrown around seemingly a thing of the past.

The squad boasts of those who have won competitions multiple times; Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Pepe, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, all seasoned veterans and all boasting considerable experience that could help stem the tide in Los Blancos’ favor when it comes down to those crunch moments. It would be remiss to not mention the manager, Zidane, one of the greatest midfielders of our generation and another who has clocked a vast amount of experience in Europe’s premier competition.

All these factors in tandem will definitely give Los Merengues the edge in their hunt for their 12th Champions League crown.